--Banco de Credito says it could increase its growth forecast for 2012

(Adds forecast for economic growth for third and fourth quarters in fourth paragraph.)

LIMA, Peru--The Central Reserve Bank of Peru increased its forecast for growth in gross domestic product for 2012 to 6% from a previous forecast of 5.8%.

The central bank also lowered its 2013 forecast for GDP growth to 6% from a previous forecast of 6.2%.

The president of the central bank, Julio Velarde, said Friday the higher forecast for economic growth in 2012 takes into account strong growth in June and expectations that growth in July also was robust. In June, Peru's GDP grew 7.07%. Mr. Velarde said that in July, Peru's GDP was expected to have grown at a similar rate as in June.

In the first half of 2012, Peru's economy grew 6.1%. Mr. Velarde said Peru's economy should grow 6.1% in the third quarter and 5.8% in the fourth quarter.

The updated forecasts were contained in the central bank's quarterly report on inflation and the economy, released Friday.

Separately, Peru's largest bank, Banco de Credito del Peru, said Friday the panorama for Peru's economy looks positive for the next few months, and it likely will increase its 6.1% forecast for full-year 2012 growth. The bank added it maintains its 2013 growth forecast for Peru at 5.8%.

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